Patents by Inventor Donald B. Knoth

Donald B. Knoth has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6302888
    Abstract: A spinal implant assembly is provided which has a stabilizer rod clamped into position within an anchor by means of a sliding closure member including a mating set screw or hook. The exterior faces of the anchor are contoured to optimize interface in the surgical setting. The anchor includes a U-shaped channel having multiple undercut surfaces such as grooves, which mate with flange like projections or “dovetails” of a closure member which is slid in a direction corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the rod. The closure member has on either side a flange mating with opposing recesses formed at the top of the U-shaped channel so as to lock the closure member in place. The set screw has an external hex head for tightening, and a plurality of radically extending prongs which are undercut and which mate with the recesses in the top of the U-shaped channel of the anchor. The hex head sheers at a necked area above the radial collar to provide for a flush surface relative to the closure member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Interpore Cross International
    Inventors: Philip A. Mellinger, Donald B. Knoth